152 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



in all latitudes, but its native regions may be considered 

 as the arctic and antarctic seas.* It would seem that 

 the animal is gregarious ; and is generally seen in parties 

 consisting of halt-grown males, or of females attended 

 by their young, and guarded by one or two males of the 

 largest size. When solitary cachalots are observed, 

 they invariably prove to be aged males. 



98. — Spermaceti Whale. 



According to Mr. F. De Bell Bennett (' Zool. Pro- 

 ceeds.,' 1837, p. 39), the speed of an alarmed cachalot 

 does not exceed from eight to ten miles an hour, though 

 when harpooned its temporary velocity may be estimated 

 from twelve to fifteen miles. When thus flying from 

 pursuit, the huge animal moves with a regular and majes- 

 tic, although rapid pace, and with a gently leaping gait : 

 the anterior and upper portions of the colossal head are 

 raised above the water, and a jiortion of the back is also 

 frequently exhibited. When parties are pursued, they 

 olten move in lines like a troop of horse, and exert all 

 their movements, and descend, rise, and even spout in 

 unison. When about to plunge deep, the cachalot as- 

 sumes a vertical position, raising the caudal fin, or 

 "flukes," perpendicularly in the air, an action that is 



* Baron Cuvier considers that only one species of 

 spermaceti whale, or cachalot, exists. And Fred. Cuvier 

 adopts this opinion, with some doubt as to whether the 

 sovithern cachalot may not be distinct, which Mr, Bell regards 

 as being the fact. As the elucidation of doubtful species 

 is not our present object, we leave the question open, and 

 speak of the cachalot in general terms as a native of the 

 Is' or them and Southern oceans. 



